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Review Recruiting Guidelines & Policies

Our highest priority is ensuring that both students and employers enjoy an equitable and successful recruiting environment. As such, we hold both parties to the highest ethical standards. Behavior by any participant, employer or student, found to be illegal or not appropriate, will result in an immediate, temporary or permanent, ban from any or all of our services. Additionally, we reserve the right to refuse service if an organization has any unresolved investigations, complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau or California Secretary of State, or for any inappropriate or egregious behavior as determined by the USC Career Center and our campus community. These penalties, which include the removal of job postings, can be invoked at any time, with or without explanation. Our guidelines for defining illegal and inappropriate behavior are: the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Guidelines, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Principles for Ethical Professional Practice, the policies and guidelines on this page, and, always, common sense. The Career Center reserves the right to decline any employer or job posting at our sole discretion with or without explanation. Questions regarding our policies and guidelines can be directed to ocr@usc.edu.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University of Southern California (USC) does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic which may be specified in such laws and regulations, in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs or activities. The Career Center adheres to this policy and will make our facilities available only to recruiting organizations whose practices are consistent with this policy.

USC’s Commitment to a Safe, Harassment-Free Environment

The University of Southern California expects all members of the university community – students, faculty, staff, employers, mentors, and visitors – to pursue their work and education in a safe environment, free from harassment based on protected characteristics, sexual misconduct, and interpersonal violence. Thus, it is imperative that all individuals comply with USC’s expectation that any environment where our students engage remain focused on respect and provide a space that is free of discrimination and sexual harassment. If you experience, see, or hear of behavior that violates this expectation, visit https://policy.usc.edu/student-misconduct/ or contact the USC Title IX Coordinator at (213) 740-5086 or titleix@usc.edu.

Alcohol and Marijuana Policy

The use of alcohol or marijuana at any point during on- or off-campus recruiting events — including sports events — is prohibited. Any organization violating this policy will no longer be eligible to participate in Career Center events or programs.

Marijuana Industry Recruiting Policy

Despite the changes in state law, USC will be following federal law regarding marijuana. No marijuana industry-related employer is permitted to post jobs in connectSC or through any other USC platform or otherwise recruit on campus.

Faculty Guide to Ethical and Legal Standards in Student Hiring

Job Offer Policies and Guidelines

Organizations are responsible for all representations and offers made to students by their recruiters. When making an employment offer, students should be notified in writing, including salary, location, benefits and starting date.

Students should be given sufficient time to make an informed decision regarding the offers they receive. Listed below are the time frame minimums which the Career Center expects employers to offer students:

Fall
Two weeks from the receipt of the written offer

Spring
Two weeks from the receipt of the written offer

Summer
When extending an offer at the end of a student’s summer program/internship, we recommend that employers give the student until October 1 to accept an offer

We advise that recruiters neither pressure students to accept offers in less time than indicated above, nor attach bonuses that “explode” if the offer is not immediately accepted.

Additionally, we discourage recruiters from pursuing students who have already accepted job offers from another organization. We also recommend that employers respect the commitment students have for their academics as well as any previously scheduled interviews with other organizations.

Third-Party Recruiters

Without written permission from the Director of Employer Relations and Research, third-party recruiters are not permitted to participate in any on-campus recruiting events. Third-party recruiters seeking to post jobs in connectSC may email recruit@usc.eduto inquire. Note that third-party organizations are not permitted to purchase resume books.

Multi-Level Organizations

Multi-Level Organizations (“Pyramid” organizations) are never allowed to participate in any on-campus recruiting events or post opportunities in connectSC.

Compensation

All organizations participating in any on-campus recruiting, including Career Fairs and On-Campus Recruiting Programs, must be actively recruiting for full-time salaried or paid, structured internship opportunities. Without exception, we expect all organizations to adhere to the U.S. Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act when it comes to wages and compensation. Organizations not adhering to these guidelines will not be able to participate in on-campus recruiting events or post opportunities in connectSC. Positions that are solely based on commission with no base pay are not permitted.

Employer Brochures and Recruiting Materials

The Career Center requests that employers do not send brochures and materials for display. We encourage organizations to link to their website through their connectSC listings.